Phases (self-released)
Nefeli Fasouli
Released December 2023
Jazziz Critics’ Picks 2024
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lHDzBEg2dAXZyT_bfVc_7f5WkMyK9IcxU
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About:
The album Phases features a diverse mix of six originals on the theme of love and its different stages. Inspired by the lunar circle, these songs navigate through all the stages of relationship. From attraction to attachment, from deep love to emptiness, from disillusionment to contempt, from break up to heal. This album was recorded during a season spent in New York which turned out to be a wonderful healing journey. May these songs have a healing power on you too.
Track Listing:
1. Tear Your Heart (Nefeli Fasouli) 6:32
2. By Any Chance (Nefeli Fasouli) 5:41
3. The Worst Is Yet To Come (Nefeli Fasouli) 7:45
4. Love After Love (Nefeli Fasouli) 7:27
5. If You Were Coming (Nefeli Fasouli) 6:12
6. Ebb And Flow (Nefeli Fasouli) 4:49
Personnel:
Nefeli Fasouli: vocals
Marius Van Den Brink: piano
Russell Hall: double bass
Aidan McKeon: saxophone
Jason Wastor: drums
Recorded May 5, 2023 at the Trading 8s studio, New Jersey
Mixed and Mastered by Chris Sulit at the Trading 8s studio NJ
Artwork and Design by Evros Voskarides
Review:
From the opening track, one can’t help being drawn into this unmistakably acoustic jazz album. Greek singer Nefeli Fasouli — who travels between Athens and New York, where she recorded Phases — creates a perfectly balanced program of original compositions. Throughout, the vocalist receives solid support from pianist Marius Van den Brink, bassist Russell Hall, saxophonist Aidan Mckeon and drummer Jason Wastor. A highlight of the album, which consists mostly of ballads, “The Worst Is Yet To Come” contains a brilliant twist, its dark lyrics quite opposite in meaning from the popular standard, albeit set to an upbeat hook. Fasouli sings in English, though she’s made several other recordings in her native tongue. And while you can hear hints of her Greek heritage in some of the compositional stylings, her English is perfect and her enunciation of certain words makes her voice that much more beautiful. With luck, Phases offers a glimpse of a songstress destined for stardom with songs that bridge the gap between real jazz and popular music.
Michael Fagien (Jazziz)
